FBI warns agencies that people may be luring ICE agents through fake dating profiles to dox them

The FBI's Chicago office circulated a memo to USCIS and other agencies describing a suspected scheme to identify and publicly expose immigration enforcement officers. According to the document, obtained by the nonprofit Property of the People and published by NBC News, people created fake dating-app profiles using photos and interests associated with the "tradwife" aesthetic — designed, the FBI said, to attract ICE personnel.

The memo said the aim was to draw agents into an online or in-person encounter under the pretext of a date, then publish their personal information online. The FBI described the practice as doxing and said it was intended to generate public embarrassment and deter immigration enforcement.

The memo did not identify which dating apps were used, name any cities, or confirm that any ICE agent was actually deceived or exposed. It was classified as a situational awareness report.

The alert followed news coverage of TikTok campaigns encouraging users to find ICE agents on apps like Tinder and Grindr and share their information. DHS says publishing agents' personal data can carry federal penalties of up to five years per charge.